The wedding fairies in Manarola have declared a new wedding location for destination weddings in the Cinque Terre, Italy. Well it’s not new, the clifftop terrace has been here for thousands of years – pretty magical, but it’s being used for the first time for official civil weddings.

What’s more, it is one of the few locations in the Cinque Terre where civil weddings can be held outdoors in mother nature’s beauty – bliss! The new wedding terrace, nestled into the vine-covered cliffs and overlooking the Mediterranean sea, is a new wedding ceremony spot experienced by few but guaranteed to wow all – especially those who choose it to say “I do!”

After 14 years in business here, we are so excited to be able to offer this dreamy site to our brides and grooms and can’t wait to celebrate – we have Prosecco bubbles at the ready!

To be one of the first to marry in this destination wedding location in the Cinque Terre, Italy, contact us.

The post New wedding location in Manarola appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Classic Blue Mood Board

So to start with, Sarah turned to her friend Mr Pantone, who always sets the colour palate for the year and for 2020 the Pantone Colour is Classic Blue. Well, if any colour title suits the style of a destination wedding here in the Cinque Terre it is Classic Blue. Classic Italian Riviera style on the Blue Mediterranean Sea. Oooo, doesn’t get much better than this.

Confession: I have a blue crush. A very similar colour palette, Midnight Blue, was the colour palette of our wedding back in 2010, see this article on our wedding published in Cosmopolitan Bride for a peek. What can I say, in 2010 I was ahead of my time, or rather I just love blue so much that whenever Mr Pantone announces a blue colour of the year, I’m instantly on-trend. But enough reminiscing about yesteryear, in the inspiration board below you, can see how Stylist Sarah hoverboards this classic colour into the crisp pretty present. Pairing free-spirited bouquets with classic accents of deep blue, metallics and fresh clean white. The Cinque Terre’s signature rustic look underlining all.

Photo credits (clockwise):   fior_deco bouquet  / Instagram wedding cake / Whimsical Wonderland Weddings table set  / Wedding Wonderland stationery / fior_deco bouquet  /  Grace & Thorn boutonnieres  /Mariage.com place cards / Grace & Thorn bouquet / Wedding Wonderland table set

Tutti i Frutti Mood Board

Well, we are all fruity here in the Cinque Terre, seriously: oranges, grapes, figs, olives, apricots, peaches, cherries, loquats and the most beloved of them all: the lemon. To give you an idea, outdoors you’ll find lemons hanging out on pretty much every corner, over every wall and from every balcony in the village, just lazing around in all their golden yellow glory. Then once indoors, the lemon adoration continues on every table with our Limoncino, Sorbetto Limone, Crema di Limoncino, Lemon Marmalade, Lemon cake and Acciughe Limone… we are unofficially the mecca for all lemon worshipers. Why, just like all the Saints, we even have an annual date to celebrate the Lemon at the Festa di Limone. On most years, aside from this strange one, the Festa di Limone takes place on the last Saturday of May.

So what better way to bring the spirit of the Cinque Terre into your wedding décor than by welcoming the citrusy fruits themselves onto your table. The result: an explosion of fiery colours and playful compositions that don’t just look deliciously sweet, they are deliciously sweet. So feast your eyes on these incredible edible table settings below and if you’re thinking ow, two for one: free fruit salad for dessert included in a table setting, you’re right on our wavelength. Wink wink!

Photo Credits:  Pinterest bouquet / Pinterest table set / Style Me Pretty decor / Pinterest centerpiece / Style Me Pretty table set / Pinterest decor / Pinterest bouquet / Pinterest table set

Freedom Pass Mood Board

Hoo boy, if like us by now you’re tired of being cooped up, locked down and distanced from, we gift you the idea of a Freedom Pass in the mood board of wedding delights below. Think of all the colours in the rainbow, times them by ten, then times them by ten again and your starting to visualise the brilliant colour palette below. Then forget physical restraint and your four walls and stretch out your arms out as far as they’ll go to scoop up every bloom type you can think of. And don’t worry about staying in the lines of the design, no one-metre rule here folks, as you pull together your bouquet of wildflowers let your buds press up close together any way they like. Now, also forget matching tableware, that’s for those who are housebound three meals a day – instead imagine running through your best home-ware stores, not online, but actually in the store, and picking out one favourite tabletop item from each, no one item the same, all exquisitely different – just because you can!

Now if you’ve followed our train of creative thought then you’ve probably styled a wedding similar to the one styled by stylist Sarah below. And if you haven’t, better still, that’s the beauty of the Freedom Pass, go ahead create the wedding of your dreams with no limits.

Photo Credits:  Style Me Pretty table set / Pinterest bouquet / Rock My Wedding cake  / Love and Lavender centerpiece / Pinterest bouquets / Etsy stationery / Pinterest boutonniere / Pinterest chair decor

If you would like a wedding in the Cinque Terre planned and styled by Cinque Terre Wedding contact us here.

Mood board by Cinque Terre Wedding Stylist Sarah Pozzi.

Written by Melina Nicholson.

The post A 2020 summer wedding mood board for all styles appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

And so it happened that strapping English gentleman, Paul, and ow, so pretty Irish lass, Aimee, met at a bus stop in Sydney, Australia, of all places, two adventure seeking explorers, with a shared cheeky sense of humour and a drive to live life to the fullest.

So it is no wonder that the engagement of this bright, sparky couple happened in on a nameless secluded beach in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, a place that the couple have now titled “our beach.”

When first hearing of Paul and Aimee’s travel love story it was clear that they wanted to create an incredible celebration and holiday not just for them but for their family and friends too. It would be the one utterly thrilling adventure the couple took with everyone they loved most involved.

And it was just that. A holiday in the Cinque Terre topped with a wedding unlike any other. The ceremony was held in front of the Mediterranean Sea, the aperitivo overlooking the medieval fishing village and the reception with live music and signature cocktails in the vineyard saw the party continue into the wee hours.

And to match the contagious energy of the couple’s we helped create a wedding setting with bright playful colours, wild care-free flowers and rustic down to earth features. Even village personality, who we endearingly call “Comandante”(The Commander), got caught up in their festive celebrations trying his luck in the Italian superstition of kissing the bride to bring good fortune.

In the spirit of the five lands of the Cinque Terre, get your peepers ready for Aimee and Paul’s top five tips on planning their wedding here and top five and a bit pics captured by the talented clickers at Pure Wedding Photography.

Why a destination wedding to celebrate your travel love story?

From a young age I always knew I wanted to get married abroad. I’ve always liked to do things differently and luckily Paul was happy to go along with my dream. He loves Italy, almost as much as his dad Geoff who we must admit is Italy’s biggest fan. Also, we have lived abroad (Australia, Canada and currently New Zealand) for our entire relationship and so when it came to planning our Wedding we knew that having all of our loved ones together in one place for a week would be extra-special. We love to travel, having visited over 40 countries together, so, I guess we wanted to share our love of travel and exploring new places with the most important people in our lives.

Why a destination wedding in the Cinque Terre, Italy?

The town of Manarola in Cinque Terre was my first ever screensaver on my computer (and continues to be to this day). When I first saw it I thought it was the most beautiful place I’d ever seen. Years later when Paul and I were planning a long holiday to Italy we decided to include a stop in the Cinque Terre. We stayed in Manarola for 4 nights and when we were there I said to Paul “if I ever get married I want it to be here”. So, when Paul proposed in 2018 I knew our wedding had to be in Cinque Terre.

How was the planning process?

Surprisingly very easy, we are living in New Zealand and were worried the time difference would make things more stressful. But, Melina was perfect – so organised, honest and down-to-earth. She made something that can be very stressful seem like a breeze.

Best part of your destination wedding day?

The Ceremony – Matteo was the perfect choice for celebrant and he put so much thought into the ceremony. It was very emotional and our guests still to this day comment how exceptional he was. Some have even requested the script for his speech, which he kindly provided after the ceremony. I think Matteo may have been the star of the show.

Top Tip for future Cinque Terre Wedding brides and grooms?

Keep it calm, this is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. It can be easy to get caught up in the stress of it all, but remember why you’re doing it.

For more information on celebration your destination wedding in the Cinque Terre contact us. 

Written by Melina Nicholson.

The post Bright Summer Wedding in Italy: A Travel Love Story appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Canadian couple, Annick and Nick, embody the classic elegance and beauty once reserved only for the black and white Hollywood screens of yesteryear. And they are as graceful and beautiful as they look.

So we were surprised to hear that they met while sweating it out in their hometown gym (though granted their gym aura is probably a tad more refined than our red faced, sweaty betty, smelly melly ones). Anyway, one day while on adjacent machines, Nick struck up a conversation with Annick, starting with the not so classic pick up line: “Is Daniel your brother, you look very similar?” To which, Annick responded with a quick, witty “Yes, but I am much better looking, right?”

After that moment, they rarely spent a day apart. A shared sense of humour and a common gentle spirit saw their friendship grow into a love that would take them to the City of Love – Paris, for their magical marriage proposal.

And after falling in love with the French Riviera, their love story continued into the Italian Riviera, where we were honoured to help realise their romantic and elegant destination wedding in the Cinque Terre.

So if you are dreaming about a romantic and elegant wedding in the Cinque Terre, prepare your peepers for Annick and Nick’s real wedding story where, in the spirit of the five lands of the Cinque Terre, they share five tips and five and a bit pics by photographer of the moment: Pure Wedding Photography. And don’t forget to watch out for the romantic floral compositions by every floral buds’ best buddy Fior Deco and making the beautiful ever more beautiful, the hair and makeup by Malino Beauty.

Why a destination wedding?
We couldn’t picture ourselves getting married in a wedding hall. We wanted a wedding that was intimate and romantic, while still very elegant. We also wanted to be surrounded by our closest family and friends. A destination wedding met all of these criteria, and it gave us an opportunity to travel somewhere beautiful with our entire family.

Why a destination wedding in the Cinque Terre in Italy?
We got engaged during a trip to France, and fell in love with the French Riviera – Cinque Terre reminded us of our engagement. Cinque Terre Weddings was also recommended by a friend, so we knew we were going to be in good hands.

How was the planning process?
Super easy! The Cinque Terre team sent us emails with choices regarding venue, music, decor, menu, etc… and everything was put together perfectly on our wedding day!

What was the best part of your day?
Marrying each other with the most stunning and romantic background in the world, while surrounded by our closest family and friends. We also really enjoyed walking around Monterosso and taking pictures in the most beautiful places.

Top Tip for future Cinque Terre Wedding Brides and Grooms?
Relax and enjoy the ride! The Cinque Terre team are amazing and you can be certain your special day will be exactly like you envisioned it.

Wedding Planner Sarah Pozzi from Cinque Terre Wedding.

Written by Melina Nicholson.

The post Romantic and Elegant Destination Wedding appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Founded by Chrissy Arpie Ott in 2008, the Perfect Palette now has over 550,000 followers. As editor, Chrissy brings together two of her favorite things: a love for colour and a love for helping couples visualise the wedding or party of their dreams. Today the Perfect Palette is known as the international go-to colour resource for couples who dream of a unique, creative, and meaningful wedding day.

And unique, creative and meaningful, capture exactly the essence of Susie and Andrew’s wedding day. It started with a Roman Catholic ceremony in the oldest Marian Sanctuary in Liguria, Italy, followed by a reception in a medieval Hermitage, all overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Ow, si, si, si, their wedding does belong in the pages of a fairy tale.

As for colour, well, the couple’s soft blush palette paired with the Cinque Terre’s signature rustic details, created an old-world romance that was ever so dreamy.

Dreamy indeedy! From the meticulously styled florals of Fior Deco and the crafty calligraphy of Cinque Terre Wedding Stylist Sarah to the: how does she do it? hair and beauty of Malino Beauty, the result is a pretty perfect palette.

You can get an eyeful of all the pretty things that make up Susie and Andrew’s destination wedding by the sea in the Cinque Terre, through the lens of Pure Wedding Photography in the Perfect Palette article here.

Written by wedding planner Melina Nicholson

The post The Perfect Palette features Cinque Terre Wedding by the Sea appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

For a couple who never dreamed of getting married, Cassidy and Michelle found themselves tying the knot in a setting found only in dreams: a colourful Italian medieval fishing village, on top of cliffs covered in luscious grapevines and in front of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Dreamy indeedy, right?

Well, for these two fast-paced professionals, Police Officer, Michelle, and Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse, Cassidy, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, Vernazza was the perfect destination. An ancient wonderland where they could slow down, take time out and celebrate their marriage with their most loved ones – their parents.

For Cassidy and Michelle the journey to their wedding began with an extraordinary meeting in the most ordinary of places – a cross fit gym. A sweet reminder that in the split of an everyday, very ordinary, second your life may change forever.

And the proposal? Well, not so ordinary: lying in a hammock on a beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. At the time Cassidy had been joking about how much her parents wanted her to marry – so much so, they’d probably even pay for the ring. To which, Michelle had responded “Like this one?”, presenting Cassidy with an engagement ring and asking her to marry her. Confused, Cassidy’s initial response was to berate Michelle for joking about marriage until she realised that Michelle was serious. At that point shock, tears and trembling kicked in and the only word Cassidy was able to muster was a quivering “Okkkaaayyyy”.

A quivering “Okkkaaayyy” that’s became a bit of a mantra in their relationship and we imagine one that was used when they decided to celebrate their marriage in a same-sex wedding in Italy.

And we were rather chuffed when this beautiful, ultra thoughtful and super loved up couple agreed to share their wedding journey and some of their favourite photos with us. So prepare your peepers to enjoy their real same-sex wedding in Italy captured by the snazzy lens of Pure Wedding Photography.

Why a destination wedding?

We actually never planned to get married, so it was a huge surprise when Michelle proposed. We are both very private people so we knew from the beginning we wanted a very small, intimate, destination wedding with family only.

Why the Cinque Terre in Italy?

First off, we LOVE to travel. So the two week trip had already been planned before the proposal as a graduation trip for myself. My parents had previously been to Cinque Terre and after I saw their pictures, I knew I had to go one day. So we decided to get married in the trip in Vernazza and invited Michelle’s parents along and of course they agreed. We had thought our destination wedding would have been on a beach somewhere, but who can say they got married at a castle in Italy?? WE CAN! And we wouldn’t have chosen to do it any other way.

How was the wedding planning process?

The most stress free wedding planning I think anyone could imagine. Sarah immediately had our Pinterest board set up and we didn’t hesitate to use it. The communication via email was easy and she always responded within a day. We enjoyed the Skype conversations just to be able to put a face to the extremely talented people behind the scenes. The most difficult choice we had to make was which bouquets we wanted 🙂

Best part your wedding in Italy?

The actually ceremony for sure. The weather was perfect, the views were breathtaking and the photos turned out stunning. Matteo was phenomenal and the wine ceremony was very special and unique to Cinque Terre.

Top tip for future Cinque Terre Wedding brides and grooms?

Let Cinque Terre Wedding take the reigns. Do not be nervous about the destination planning process and having to be there or involved in every single decision. They are professionals and are the best at what they do. They know when to ask your opinion or when to involve you. We trusted them with everything and it turned out better than we could have ever imagined. It was exceptional.

For more information on having a destination wedding in the Cinque Terre contact us here.

Written by Melina Nicholson.

The post Same-Sex Wedding in Italy Special: Cassidy and Michelle appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Owner of Speakeasy Digital, Casey, and Real Estate Broker of Mizner Residential Realty, Jeremy, were officially the first couple in the world to be married on this spot.

So this successful, strong loving couple, who have a streak of cheeky humour in all they do, not only sealed their vows but also history, promising to protect each other from outdoor sprinklers, love each other for their dance moves and attend at least one baseball game per year.

This incredible Italian seaside wedding in the Cinque Terre, surrounded by family and friends, was the result of an incredible seven-year romance that started with a simple knock on a friend’s neighbour’s door.

It was a knock by Casey that was answered by Jeremy and an awkward and quick conversation followed (Jeremy had been in the middle of cooking lunch at the time). However, it was a knock that would have a resounding effect on both their lives. The very next day Jeremy tracked Casey down on Facebook, asked her out and the rest is history!

A few years later, on a three-week holiday to Italy, in a restaurant in the medieval town of Assisi, following a cooking class where they were set to taste the fruits of their labour, Jeremy told Casey he had a question for her. Then, to the tunes of Barry White playing somewhere in the background, Jeremy popped the question. Due to shock, Casey barely remembers what was said at the time, but she does remember that she giggled nervously in response and quoted LeBron James “It’s about damn time”, before saying yes!

Lucky for them, Casey and Jeremy decided to return to Italy, choosing the Cinque Terre as the spectacular backdrop for their Italian seaside wedding.

Lucky for us, Casey and Jeremy have agreed to share their great top tips and jaw dropping pics taken by Pure Photography, so we can all enjoy what it was like for them to take the plunge.

Why a destination wedding?

We wanted something special, unique and intimate. With friends and family all over the U.S., many people were going to have to travel anyway. We’ve never met a person who dislikes Italy, and we couldn’t think of anything better than three days in Cinque Terre with our favourite people.

Why the Cinque Terre in Italy?

It’s absolutely gorgeous, laid back, and the food is amazing. We also chose Monterosso because it’s a nice sized town to host 30 friends. It’s small enough where we can see each other around town, but large enough if you want a little privacy.

How was the planning process?

The planning process was easy because we had a great planner that put us at ease. Planning a destination wedding definitely isn’t for everyone- if you want to be in control of every little detail, it’s probably not for you. Normally I’m a control freak, but I chose not to make myself crazy over wedding planning, and let Melina and our vendors take care of everything. Italy never disappoints—everything is always delicious and beautiful- so I trusted that my wedding would turn out perfect (and it did)!

Best part of your Italian seaside wedding?

It’s hard to choose. I loved our unique ceremony on the rocks, walking through the town, and just being surrounded by our best friends and family in Italy.

Top Tip for future Cinque Terre Wedding Brides and Grooms?

During the planning process, my best advice is to just communicate with Melina as much as you need to. If you are unsure about something, just ask, and she will put you at ease!

Once we arrived in Cinque Terre, the three days with our friends and family went so fast. Just sit back, take it all in, and enjoy yourselves. Everything is as it should be!

The post First couple to marry on the cliffs of the Cinque Terre appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Adding An Italian Touch to Your Wedding Day

Many choose a destination wedding in Italy for the country’s natural beauty and gorgeous Mediterranean climate. With a wedding somewhere as beautiful as Cinque Terre, it would be a mistake to not include the local beauty into your ceremony. There are many ways to do this, be it in your food, entertainment, or decor.

Designing your wedding decor is a great opportunity to take advantage of all that Italy has to offer. With hundreds of plant and fruit species only found in the Mediterranean, your options are limitless. When working with your wedding planner and florist, consider including some of the local flower and fruit species available in Cinque Terre.

Tips for Using Fruit in Weddings with Floral Arrangements

Using fruit (and vegetables) in bouquets requires some pre-planning and decision-making prior to arranging. Check out some of our Pro Tips for using produce in floral arrangements so you can start off on the right foot!

• If you’re using fruit in a handheld bouquet, like a bridal bouquet, make sure you secure the fruit before you begin to walk around with it.
• Try to pick fruits that still have a stem so you can use floral wire or floral tape to secure it to the stems in your bouquet.
• Larger fruits, like pomegranates, sit better towards the center of your bouquet where they’re less likely to tip over and fall out.
• The best way to keep your arrangement together is to keep your bouquet upright!
• If you are using fruit in a bridal bouquet, we do not recommend using it for your bouquet toss (unless you have full confidence that someone will catch it and it won’t land on the floor)! Use an alternative toss-bouquet instead to save your beautiful fruit bouquet from any potential damage.
• Fruits that grow on vines, like grapes and blackberries, easily add depth to any spot in your arrangement. The vines also make it easier to tie to your bouquet. The abundance of fruit can also add easy height or width to your bouquet depending on your placement.
• Keep in mind that fruits produce ethylene gas. This gas speeds up the ripening process for other produce and can accelerate the blooming process for flowers, so take this into account when incorporating fruit into your arrangements and bouquets.

Now that you have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve, you can take a look at different bouquets to get an idea about what you’d like to create!

Floral Fruit Arrangement Inspiration

Photo courtesy of Bowtie & Bell

Kumquats

This autumn-inspired bouquet incorporates warm colors and tiny fruit to create a showstopping arrangement. The orange and red kumquats complement the rich colors of the flowers while adding a cheery feel to the overall display.

• Kumquat – These rounded are the perfect choice if you’re looking for smaller fruit accents instead of a large statement piece. The fruit casually hang down and out of the way of their floral neighbors.
• Rose – The light pink roses help round out the rich color palette for this bouquet and set the mood for this fall-themed arrangement.
• Dahlia – Full-bodied dahlias add texture to this highly contrasting arrangement. These big blooms accompany the roses as beautiful statement flowers.

Photo courtesy of Esther Sun Photography

Brunia Berries

Brunia berries are an easy way to pull a bouquet together without adding too much texture or weight to your arrangement. This bouquet thoughtfully places the smooth berries amongst the posh flowers and other protruding greenery for a delicate contrast. The light orange roses tie the arrangement together with their beautiful petals and soft color.

• Brunia Berries – These decorative berries are popular choices for winter bouquets and arrangements. Silver brunia are especially known for their soft color and effortless beauty.
• Anemone – The anemone flowers gently poke out of this bouquet to complement the beautiful roses and protruding foliage. Their distinguishable dark centers and soft petals make these eye-catching flowers popular choices for wedding bouquets.
• Rose – These light orange roses add the right touch of elegance to this lush bouquet. The big blooms of the roses protrude in the right spots to contrast the wild greenery in the bouquet.

Blueberries

Berries, succulents and voluminous blooms create a gorgeous arrangement with subtle touches of color. The tiny berries contrast the big florals and vibrant greenery in the bouquet to give a balanced and graceful look.

• Blueberry – Tiny blueberries add a whimsical touch to any floral bouquet. Keep these berries on the branch to easily place in any part of the arrangement.
• Succulent – Light-colored succulents are another unique greenery choice that instantly elevates your bouquets look and adds unique texture to the overall arrangement.
• Dahlia – The single white dahlia in this bouquet catches the eye and delicately contrasts the overall blue color palette in this arrangement. This white flower draws the eye and creates a beautiful center point for this bouquet.

Bouquet photo courtesy of Julian Kanz from Wylie and David’s wedding.

Olives

Olive trees are ubiquitous Mediterranean landscape and their branches have long been an global symbol of peace. However, their long, narrow leaves dotted in green or purple fruit can make a great addition to floral arrangements. Olive branches can be used as filler to add a subtle Mediterranean feel to your bouquet, or they can act as star of the show. Their long, willowy branches tend to create dramatic and creative shapes. Consider using flowering branches among other local blooms to add a nuanced texture to the bouquet.

Table photo courtesy of Facibeni from Andrea and Drew’s wedding.

Lemons

Lemons are a staple of Italian culture and cuisine and can be found as the key flavor in shaved ice, limoncello, lemonade, and gelato. They can also make welcome guests in any brightly colored floral arrangement.

Lemons look best among bright green, white, or blue arrangements. Sliced or whole, they serve as an excellent surprise to guests! Many florists also enjoy the look of filling up a clear glass vase with sliced lemons. The best part about using lemons in floral arrangements is that they are very acidic and will not brown leading up to your big day.

Table centerpiece photo courtesy of Ed Peers from Dominique and Rick’s wedding.

Grapes

Another local fruit perfect for wedding bouquets are grapes. Italy’s Mediterranean climate is home to hundreds of sprawling vineyards that you can take advantage of. Grapes are best included in floral arrangement near the bottom, cascading over the edge of the vase.

The most popular type of grape planted in Italy are sangiovese grapes, used to make red wines. If you catch them before being sent to fermentation, their dusky violet berries will provide a brilliant burst of color in your wedding bouquets. For weddings with a muted color scheme, white grapes are an excellent addition. Place some Cinque Terre grapes: the bosco, alberola or vermentino grapes, among white hydrangeas and soft green foliage for an elegant, traditional arrangement. Or contrast with some colour pop to add some rustic fun into your day.

Fruit and flowers also add a warm and elegant aspect to any gift. In addition to the examples here, you can also take ideas from old still life paintings that feature fruit and floral centerpieces. You can easily turn a regular bouquet at your dinner table into a living work of art with the right ingredients! Take your newfound fruit and floral inspiration to the next level by gifting perfectly paired berries and flowers to the favorite people in your life!

Written by guest Maddy for Cinque Terre Wedding. Maddy is nature lover who also enjoys discovering new music, exploring local restaurants, and petting every cat she sees.

The post How to use Italian Fruit in Weddings appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Maggie and Ben are two designer aficionados from California USA. Architect Maggie has a background in designing high end luxury homes, while as an entrepreneur, Ben has one of his companies, Bulletproof Automotive, focused on making cars look better and run faster.

This couple share a fast-paced life and a furious love of travel and food. So, not surprisingly cyber cupid, Match.com, found them to be the perfect match.

Keeping true to their travelling spirit, Ben proposed to Maggie in balmy Bali where they celebrated their engagement exploring the tropical island for two whole weeks – ow, so, dreamy.

So for their interfaith Jewish wedding a destination wedding was an easy choice. Only question was where? Where could they treat their family and friends not only to one of their favorite places in the world, but also enjoy truly amazing cuisine?

Cue, the Cinque Terre, Italy.

From the moment this excited couple contacted us at Cinque Terre Wedding their vision was clear: they loved the natural spirit of the Cinque Terre and at the top of their wish list were peonies for Maggie and scampi crudo (raw langoustine) for Ben. This warm-hearted couple also had their guests interests at front of mind throughout. And all these elements were in abundance for this beautiful couple who celebrated their day with special interfaith Jewish wedding traditions and features, like having their fathers as the celebrants, the Chuppah (pronounced hoopah – took us a while to get that one right :)) and the Challah bread, made right here in Italy.

So we’ve asked Maggie and Ben to share their top 5 tips and 5 and bit favourite pics on their interfaith Jewish wedding in the Cinque Terre. Prepare to do some “O” mouth movements over the coral and gold colour palette and watch out for those stunning peonies – yes, they really were that big and beautiful.

Hats off to photographer Facibene Fotografia.

Why destination & why Cinque Terre?

During my 2003 study abroad in Florence, I discovered and fell in love with Cinque Terre. The beauty of the Cinque Terre’s colorful coastal villages held a special place in my heart, and I always knew that I would someday return. Years later, as Ben and I fell in love, I knew I wanted to share this special place of mine.

Ben and I share a deep passion for travel; over the 10 years we dated, we have shared incredible journeys all over the world. Our love of travel and adventure made it clear that an exotic destination wedding best suited us and told our story. Over years of our travels, we considered everything from cherry blossom season in Kyoto, to taking over a cruise ship in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, for our wedding. We wanted to create a special experience that was truly “us”. In the end, it was the same beauty that I originally found in Cinque Terre that captured our focus and became our special wedding destination.

With family from all over the US, we knew we were asking a lot of them to travel so far for the wedding. We also made them wait out 10 years of our relationship for this moment in marriage. We couldn’t let them down; we wanted an epic wedding adventure, and that is what we set out to create. Since we live in Venice Beach, California we couldn’t possibly manage an exceptional destination wedding without an exceptional wedding planner. Thankfully, we found Melina Nicholson of Cinque Terre Wedding. From our first introduction emails to the final dance at our wedding, Melina worked tirelessly to be sure every detail of our vision was brought to life.

We considered a number of locations in Cinque Terre, but it was the raw natural beauty of Buranco Vineyard in Monterosso that made our venue decision ultimately an easy choice. Between dancing alongside 1,000 year-old original city walls, walking through the beautiful olive trees, looking out to ocean views, and enjoying the wine from the vines running up and down the picturesque elevations of the estate, we knew that it would not only check off every wish list item we had for our family and friends to enjoy, but that it would also provide some amazing photos to look back on.

How was the planning process?

I am a self-admitted control freak, so planning a wedding 6,000 miles away mostly via email, with a few Skype calls (without ever seeing the venue in person!), was challenging for me. At the same time, I knew I had no choice but to let go a little and just trust that Melina would pull it all together. When our wedding weekend arrived, I knew we were in good hands as soon as we arrived at our Thursday evening welcome drinks/aperitivo, and things just got better from there! Melina and her team have a keen eye for design, and the ability to, with a few Pinterest photos, pull together a stunning vision. I was most concerned about the flowers, as someone who loves flowers and has dabbled in floral design as a hobby over the years. Melina did not disappoint; the flowers for our rehearsal dinner were stunning and just what I had envisioned, and the wedding flowers were over the top. In my wildest dreams, my bouquet was never as big and stunning as it ended up being! Everything, from start to finish, was an absolute dream.

Best part of your day?

It’s hard to pick my favorite part of the best day of my life! From the moment I woke up, it all felt like a dream! But if I had to pick one moment, it would probably be our First Look. After hours of getting ready, I finally slipped into my dress and shoes and walked (I may have floated?) over to the Olive Grove at Buranco, where my love was waiting. Having those first moments together to take it all in before all the excitement started was really special.

Top Tips for future CT Brides & Grooms?

During wedding planning, my best advice is to just communicate with Melina as much as you need to. If you are unsure about something, just ask, and she will put you at ease! Also, make lists early. As the wedding day got closer and everything started to come together, I was very glad I had made lists early so I already knew what needed to be done and packed. It helped make those last few weeks much smoother, as the stress level was definitely high while we finished last-minute wedding things, but also wrapped up work in preparation of being away for three weeks.

Once in Cinque Terre, everything went so fast, but it was all so beautifully orchestrated. By the time you get to Cinque Terre, most everything has already been set in motion, so my best advice is to try to relax and enjoy your time with your family and friends. It will be over in the blink of an eye, so try to take a few minutes throughout the day/weekend to pause and just take it all in!

For more information on how to celebrate a full or interfaith Jewish wedding in the Cinque Terre contact us here. 

Written by Melina Nicholson.

The post Maggie and Ben’s Interfaith Jewish Wedding in Cinque Terre appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Let Nature Help You Get Your Beauty Sleep

Your wedding day will be full of moments you’ll want to remember. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are crucial to looking your best, but there’s one element that’s often forgotten – sleep. Beauty sleep is real, and it can make a big difference not only in how you look on your wedding day but how you feel.

The Reality of Beauty Sleep

Sleep plays a role in your health and appearance. A study funded by Estée Lauder explored the connection between sleep deprivation and skin aging. The health of participants’ skin was evaluated through a series of tests, and it was found that those who slept less or experienced poor sleep quality showed more signs of fine lines, uneven pigmentation, slack skin, and reduced skin elasticity. Researchers also found that the skin of those who slept better recovered 30 percent more quickly from environmental stressors such as sun damage.

It’s not just your skin’s health that’s at risk. Another study compared the perceived health of participants after getting a full night’s rest to their perceived health after being awake for 31 hours. Observers looked at photos of the same people after both conditions. After sleep deprivation, participants were rated as looking less healthy, less attractive, and more tired.

Beyond your appearance, adequate sleep, that’s a full seven to eight hours, helps keep your appetite and metabolism in check, your immune system strong, and the emotional center of your brain in balance. Sleep is vital to your physical and emotional health.

Photo from Wylie and David’s Wedding in the Cinque Terre taken by Julian Kanz.

Getting Good Sleep with Nature’s Help

Destination weddings in places like the Cinque Terre, Italy, can provide a cultural experience. They also put you in the beautiful natural surroundings which can help you relax for better sleep. The outdoors can help reduce stress and anxiety, both of which are common before a wedding. Seaside weddings also have the benefit of providing natural white noise. Sudden sound changes are what wake you up at night, but white noise puts out a consistent even sound across all hearable frequencies. The rhythmic rush of waves can be the white noise that helps you drift off to sleep before your big day.

Photo from Dominique and Rick’s wedding in the Cinque Terre taken by Ed Peers.

You can also help yourself get better sleep both before and after your wedding by:

Finding the Right Mattress:

It is your mattress at home that can make all the difference to your ability to fall and stay asleep in the months leading up to your big day. If you are plagued by frequent waking or aches and pains, you might need one that supports your height, weight, and/or preferred sleep position – back, stomach, side.

Keeping a Consistent Sleep-Wake Schedule:

Going to bed and waking up at the same time helps your body follow its natural circadian rhythms, which are regular 24-hour biological and physiological cycles. Try to keep your sleep-wake schedule even on weekends.

Adjusting for Jet Lag:

A destination wedding in a place like the Cinque Terre might require you to adjust to a new time zone. While you probably can’t eliminate all the effects of jet lag, you can prepare in advance to help yourself get the rest you need. A few days before you leave, start moving your bed and wake time closer to your destinations time by 30-60 minutes each night.

Avoiding Screens Close to Bedtime:

The screens of some electronic devices like laptops and smartphones give off a bright blue light that can suppress the release of sleep hormones. Some devices have a low blue light setting otherwise you’ll need to turn them off at least two to three hours before bed to prevent a delay in the onset of sleep.

Getting your beauty sleep will help you enjoy your wedding day in a place like the Cinque Terre, Italy, to the fullest.

Photo from Wylie and David’s Wedding in the Cinque Terre taken by Julian Kanz.

Written by guest blogger Samantha Kent for Cinque Terre Wedding. Guest blogger Samantha Kent is a researcher for SleepHelp.org. Her favorite writing topic is how getting enough sleep can improve your life.

The post Beauty Sleep is Real – Top Tips for Destination Weddings from Sleep Expert appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.